Up in the air

The 1900 Summer Olympics attained a height of elegance and quirkiness that few games have managed since. Known as the Games of the II Olympiad and held in Paris. From Wikipedia: ‘Some unusual events were contested for the only time in the history of the Games including automobile and motorcycle racing‘. In this novel category, France won every single medal but two, including gold, silver and bronze in the ‘Delivery Van – 500 to 1200kg – Electric – 300km’ category. Unfortnately no record car type or driver survive. According to the Journal of Olympic History (pdf) there’s some debate as to whether these events could realistically be described as ‘Olympic’, given that prize money was often awarded.

There was also some fishing: ‘Apparently, at a series of competitions in August, some 600 fishermen, of whom 40 are from 5 other countries than France, participate, and final prizes are awarded.’ Many more gems to be found at the LA84 Foundation’sSports Library, which ‘houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of sports information’ Much of which is searchable.